Oh dear, hello week 3 my old friend...

[KateMac]

I'm really quite ashamed to be posting this: back in Oct my ankle started hurting a lot but instead of resting it I tried to keep running so (surprise) it got much worse & I had to stop for weeks. By then the evenings were getting darker so I couldn't run my usual route after work, my son was in hospital for over a week, work got really busy, my dog got kennel cough so couldn't go out, then it starting raining almost constantly & my motivation packed its bags & left. I know all these are excuses but for whatever reason I gave up completely & swapped running for eating chocolate. Then on Christmas eve I decided enough was enough (also I weighed myself- oops!) so I tried week 6 hoping that the 3 shorter runs would be achievable ... well it seemed fine at the time (no stitch, kept breathing etc), but within hours my legs started aching & were still hurting 3 days later. I've now gone back to week 3 (done it twice- so far so good) & am really hoping to re-graduate by Feb half term. Am sharing this with everyone in the hope that confessing will help keep me motivated this time (although risking having my badge removed!). Also wondered if anyone else has found themselves having to start again stopping for awhile?

[SBG356 Graduate]

Oh Kate I do feel for you but they don't sound like excuses to me but like real life just getting in the way, slowing you down and eating away at your confidence and then your motivation. You are not alone by any means but you have done the right thing by coming on here, laying it bare and making the start of the new year the kick you need to start going again.

Well done you for finding the comfortable week to start back on so you don't give up, for setting a goal for your graduation and for being positive. You will be fine I am sure of that Kate, just ease back slowly and gently. Best of luck! Sue x

[greenlegs Graduate]

Thank you for having the strength to blog this. I don't think you should feel ashamed at all - quite the opposite. Reading on here suggests that most people have found plenty of 'life' getting in the way, especially over the last couple of weeks!

I think it's really important to know about how injuries can be made worse by 'not giving in' than hearing too much about 'keeping going despite the pain'. I want to get fit, not injured! I really don't mind if it takes me a bit longer to get there.

Maybe you will find it easier to get back to where you were than you are expecting - and I hope you get there injury-free this time!

[Jimbob74 Graduate]

Good Morning Katemac, I am soooooo glad you have posted this blog, I am exactly the same, since October I had an injury in my left Achilles / tendons but tried to run and only made it worse, when I could run I had lost my fitness so went back to week 6 and managed ok but only about once a week due to life commitments, dark nights, work, rain etc and my last run was 12 December. Since then being Christmas, going out eating, drinking chocolate, cheese etc I have piled on 8lb and feel really sluggish. Running mojo is lost somewhere. I meant to get up and run the other morning after reading Steve's and his wife's blogs which really inspired me but somehow it didn't happen. To be honest I'm a little scared and no sure where and which week to go back too. But this morning, it's quite dry, not cold so I'm going to give it a go, it will be painfull I am sure but will prob enjoy it. Slowly though lol.

So in a nutshell Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou. I will let you know how I get on

James

[KateMac Graduate in reply to Jimbob74]

Hi James, what you've written sounds so similar, even the 8lbs is the same! I'm not sure what my biggest Christmas downfall is but strongly suspect the Irish cream...

It's so hard to judge which week to go back to & I always want to explain why I've stopped to walk if anyone is nearby during those bits (I don't, of course, because I need to get my breath back!) I hope your run this morning went well, looking forward to hearing how you got on, Kate

[Anniemurph Graduate]

No, no, don't panic, you're back! That's great - keep checking in on here and you will find all the support and encouragement you need. And life happens - we don't all have the luxury of only being able to focus on running (if only!). I also think it's important that people remind us all not to keep trying when injured, as it's too easy just to think that it might be all right. Thank you for posting, and all the best with getting back to it.

Annie

[AnnaDJ Graduate]

KateMac I'm so glad you posted. I've also posted a not disimilar post just now. I've found it really hard going since October with injury and life stuff. I've gone back to Week5 Run1 and it was tough. I did a 2nd run at it a couple of days ago and was surprirsed to find I had fuel in the tank at the end. I'm biting the bullet tomorrow and going for run 3. We'll see if I've pushed it too hard too quick... I have to say it's good to be back though. I've really missed running and I've really missed this forum.

[KateMac Graduate]

Wow, thanks everyone for all your lovely kind comments & encouragement, I feel much more positive now I've managed to get through w3 with no aches or pains. I can't remember what W4 is like but I'm actually quite looking forward to Saturday morning to try it again, got a feeling I remember quite a big jump in w5 though? I will think of everyone on here to get me through it! good luck to all of us & thanks again Kate x